Obama works on 'complex problem' of guns

Dec. 18, 2012
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President Obama / Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

The White House hasn't said much publicly about the specifics of a new gun strategy, but things are happening behind the scenes.

Obama held a string of meetings with top aides Monday, a day after he told survivors of the Newtown school massacre that he would "use whatever power this office holds" to drive "an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this."

The president also said the project would unfold "in the coming weeks."

On Monday, the president discussed the effort with Vice President Biden, senior aides and Cabinet members who will play key roles in a project addressing gun violence. The latter group included Attorney General Eric Holder, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

New gun control proposals are likely to be a part of the president's proposal. But White House spokesman Jay Carney noted that, in his Newtown speech, Obama also cited the need to work with mental health professionals, parents and educators as well as law enforcement.

"It's a complex problem that will require a complex solution," Carney said. "No single piece of legislation, no single action will fully address the problem."